Extra-curricular Art Program

Kids “pop-in” class gives opportunity for art outside school

With many local schools cutting art programs, the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center in Richmond city provides an alternative after school activity.



By Amy Via



On Friday evenings, beginning in late April and running for three weeks, the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center in Richmond has a children’s art program available called Kids Only POP-In.



Shaunn Casselle is the facilitator for the program, which provides extra-curricular art activities outside of school.

The program was developed to allow children to be creative without having to register and commit to the activities.

“It’s an opportunity to be an introductory program, in case you find out, ‘well maybe my kid doesn’t really like art,’” said Casselle.

There are numerous activities to choose from, including crafts, painting, drawing and pottery work. Children can come alone, or bring their parents along to help with the activities.

Veena Luthra has been bringing her son, Max Murphy, to Pine Camp for four months for a Saturday art class called Art Fun 101, but this month is their first time coming to POP-In.

Max attends a private school where he has art classes two times a week. But, the pop-in program is an inexpensive activity he can do after school.

And, in Luthra’s opinion, the more art a child is exposed to, the more it can benefit them.

“I think [art] improves concentration and creativity, and a sense of accomplishment once you’ve finished a work,” said Luthra.

Traci Johnson brings her daughter, Shanthi Bhagat, 6, to the POP-In activities regularly. Shanthi actually enjoys the program so much that she keeps up with when each new season will start.

Shanthi attends a public school, and also takes art classes, but Johnson began involving her daughter in the art programs because Shanthi expressed interest in them.

“I let her tell me. If she wants to come here, she keeps track of when it starts and when it ends,” said Johnson.

Johnson also thinks art benefits children, whether it’s improving academic performance in school or boosting their confidence.

“I think it helps her in school…[she says] she has high self esteem. Just letting them be creative and knowing that they have something special about them,” said Johnson.

In addition to being a creative outlet, another benefit about the pop-in program is that it’s very affordable.

Casselle said that many residents around Pine Camp want their children exposed to art, but can’t afford typical art class tuition. The pop-in activities carry a $1 studio fee, plus the cost of the activity, which is $5 and under.

The flexible scheduling of the Pine Camp art programs has been a success within the greater Richmond community.

“I’ve never really gotten any negative feedback,” said Casselle.

(-Pine Camp Program Guide)
(-Richmond City Public Schools)

Economy & Art in Schools

Teachers and administrators respond to budget fears

With the country sinking deeper into a recession, counties are left wondering how their school budgets will be affected.



By Amy Via



Henrico and Chesterfield County schools are expecting budget cuts for the 2009-2010 school year.

Currently, a report from March 11 said that Henrico County’s proposed budget calls for no cuts. Instead, the county wants to put a freeze on hiring and sacrifice pay raises.

In spite of the recession, the 2008-2009 budget for Henrico County managed to keep the essential extra-curricular programs in art, but teachers fear that next year may face cuts.

Natalie Wier, art department chair at Varina and Mehfoud Elementary Schools in Henrico County, explained that the current recession occurred in the middle of the school year, so it hasn’t affected her schools, yet.




Henrico’s budget for art supplies was also calculated last year. Wier thinks that this year will be fine, but next year may be more difficult.

“Art teachers are always having to be creative and figure things out budget-wise,” said Wier.

If Henrico makes cuts to the budget, Wier thinks she’ll have to be even more creative next year.

Mary Scurlock, art teacher at Henrico High School’s Center for the Arts, feels the school will be okay budget-wise. At this point the worst that may occur is the lack of hiring new teachers.

“I’ve been told that Henrico County is a little more financially stable than other counties,” said Scurlock.

Scurlock thinks that the administrators in Henrico are aware of the fact that art is a priority for children, and are therefore protecting art programs. But she agreed that next year’s budget will be a more accurate reflection of whether art programs will really suffer.

Mike Gettings, art specialist for Henrico Co. Public Schools, feels art programs should be okay as long as the budget is approved as it currently stands.

Gettings said the school board thinks art is an important part of school systems.

“It’s a belief system that they feel is an important part of every child’s education,” said Gettings.

Henrico County will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on April 14.

Chesterfield County is also waiting for budget results.

According to the March 11 report, Chesterfield County has proposed $1.23 billion for the budget, with $627.2 million of that going to public schools. However, this would still be a 2.5 percent decrease in funding.

Shawn Smith, Assistant Director of community relations for Chesterfield Co. Public Schools, said their school board is still going through the budget process.

The only specific reduction in Chesterfield has been a $78,000 cut in replacing music equipment and music equipment repair for next year.

Smith also said that no decisions have been made in terms of employee lay-offs, so “employees are not aware of their status.”

Chesterfield Co. Public Schools will vote on the proposed budget on April 15.